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| trailhound |
Posted: Sep 05 '08, 1:47 pm |
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Reviews written: 643 Member since: May 21 '04
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RE: Doesn't Work
Quote: jps246 I did have a few issues at first, which might have been due to Firefox (which is a known issue to Eps), but since then I've used Word and IE and haven't had a problem.
I was in the same boat and got the review published using the IE browser too. I'm not going to try to update any old reviews for now though, since that may ignite more HTML errors. -Dave |
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| jump_chump |
Posted: Sep 05 '08, 7:12 pm (Updated: Sep 05 '08, 8:51 pm) |
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Reviews written: 0 Member since: Oct 04 '05
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RE: Does anyone test these things beforehand?
Rex, much thanks for being a great help during the roll out of the new editor. Here's a couple points I'd like to clarify.
Quote: scmrak In case you didn't know, the tool was created by a summer intern. Yes, it was ill-considered to implement it after s/he'd already left (a pox on interns who don't complete their projects until their last day on the job, BTW). Yes, it would've been a good idea to completely debug it before rolling it out.
Kevin, the intern, is still here! And he's very busy working to fix the bugs.
FYI, the wysiwyg interface is TinyMCE (Google it for more info), an open-source and open-platform application that is used by many other websites--including, for example, Wordpress, a blog application which I use on a regular basis. Most of the "bugs" that have been identified at Epinions are also bugs at those websites. Granted, Epinions folks may be using the interface in ways that other sites aren't--pasting Word text is a good example. However, those sites using TinyMCE also have the same bug--it just doesn't affect them to the same degree.
Additionally, Kevin (under direction of epi Eng) researched many (all?) of the available open source wysiwyg applications. He did an excellent job of determining which application would fit best. Unfortunately, as is the case with most open-source software, it's free, but there will be problems (Firefox is another good example).
I go into this detail only to let folks see that we made the decision to implement the new editor with some degree of planning. If there is fault, it's that we didn't allow members to 'opt out' and/or revert to the old editor. Our primary reason for doing the new editor was to make it easier to write better reviews--on par with any modern blog, for example.
As for the bugs--we've now release two? three? bug fixes and have another in the works. Please bear with us while we fix things, and continue to let us know what doesn't work.
Quote: scmrak Many people have asked for the ability to toggle between the old and new editors. It might - or might not - be on the drawing board. Perhaps after they've gotten the thing fixed.
Yes, this would be a great feature, one we've talked about. Unfortunately, the code for writing a review is actually pretty darn complicated. It's not easy at all to "just add a link to the old editor". If it was, we'd do it, asap.
I think, instead, we're committed to getting the editor to work for everyone.
Quote: scmrak Your suggestion for "unclosed tag" warnings instead of errors is well-considered. I have no idea why they didn't do that in the first place - surely it would be better to have lots of reviews with huge blocks of italics or bold than peeved reviewers.
Again, this "bug" is part of TinyMCE, not the result of any Epinions coding problems. To fix these problems, Kevin is going through the TinyMCE code to make adjustments. (He's fixing someone else's bugs!) He's actively building up a strong resume, and some company will be happy to have him when he graduates next year.
I've written a lot here. If there are any questions, or if you'd like further clarification, please feel free to reply.
damon
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Epinions Engineer |
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| sleeper54 |
Posted: Sep 05 '08, 7:38 pm |
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Reviews written: 469 Member since: Feb 24 '01
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RE: Does anyone test these things beforehand?
Quote: jump_chump
--snip--
damon
Epinions Engineer
Or expressed 'lean-n-mean-ly':
The Bottom Line
I think, instead, we're committed to getting the editor to work for everyone.
Works for me ...your effort, explanation, and commitment I mean. (and props to the intern for all his work...)
Thanks for the update.
...tom...
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| ladyconsumer |
Posted: Sep 05 '08, 8:37 pm (Updated: Sep 05 '08, 8:38 pm) |
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Reviews written: 575 Member since: Jul 11 '05
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RE: Does anyone test these things beforehand?
Quote: jump_chump
As for the bugs--we've now release two? three? bug fixes and have another in the works. Please bear with us while we fix things, and continue to let us know what doesn't work.
I read your post with interest, Damon. Thanks for that very informative update.
My question has to do with these two or three releases you mention. Does this mean that the version we're seeing today is different than the one that was initially rolled out? And if so, is there a list of bug-fixes. Because without knowing what you believe is fixed, how do we know what needs to be re-reported? (No use reporting things over & over, unless you tell us you believe they're fixed, and we still see them).
Mona |
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| njchicaa |
Posted: Sep 05 '08, 8:42 pm |
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Reviews written: 695 Member since: Jun 27 '05
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RE: Does anyone test these things beforehand?
Thanks for the update and information Damon.
Just know this: when I lose TR hats because I can't figure out how to post reviews... I'm coming after you. =) |
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| jump_chump |
Posted: Sep 05 '08, 8:44 pm |
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Reviews written: 0 Member since: Oct 04 '05
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RE: Does anyone test these things beforehand?
Quote: ladyconsumer Because without knowing what you believe is fixed, how do we know what needs to be re-reported? (No use reporting things over & over, unless you tell us you believe they're fixed, and we still see them).
That's a great point. Has Epinions ever provided this info before? To me, it seems like a recent thing, public-facing bug reports (see the links in my post above for examples).
Maybe Epinions *should* make its bug database accessible, or, at the least, provide a list of relevant bug fixes for each release. That last option seems more feasible.
It's a good idea. I'm for it. I'll see what Yoel thinks.
damon
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Epinions Engineer
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| shopaholic_man |
Posted: Sep 05 '08, 8:48 pm |
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Reviews written: 987 Member since: Feb 15 '04
 in Movies |
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RE: Does anyone test these things beforehand?
I really appreciate all the feedback we have been getting from you jump chump. It really helps to know what is going on, and to know that Brisbane is reading our questions and responding to them.
Myself, at first I was frustrated with the new system, but as I have been adjusting to it, I think I've got the hang of it, and I am pretty sure I will be continuing to post reviews here! |
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| ladyconsumer |
Posted: Sep 05 '08, 8:55 pm |
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Reviews written: 575 Member since: Jul 11 '05
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RE: Does anyone test these things beforehand?
Quote: jump_chump That's a great point. Has Epinions ever provided this info before?
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Epinions Engineer
Hi,
No, as far as I know, they have not. It's been asked for, but just never happened. To me, it would make communication regarding bugs far more efficient.
Mona |
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| ladyconsumer |
Posted: Sep 05 '08, 8:57 pm |
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Reviews written: 575 Member since: Jul 11 '05
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RE: Does anyone test these things beforehand?
Quote: shopaholic_man
Myself, at first I was frustrated with the new system, ...
Really? You hid it so well.
...:NowweallknowShoppyreallyneedshiscoffeesmiliemoment:... |
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| knotheadusc |
Posted: Sep 05 '08, 11:34 pm |
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Reviews written: 1093 Member since: Mar 19 '03
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I've always
typed my reviews straight into the text box, but even that causes the dreaded formatting problems when I try to bold or italicize. I spent some time yesterday trying to figure out how to fix it and even pasted the review into Word to see if I could get the bugs out that way. It was a major pain.
Like so many others, I would prefer to be able to just hand type the HTML code than try to wade through the editor to find where the mistakes are. |
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| sleeper54 |
Posted: Sep 06 '08, 6:43 am |
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Reviews written: 469 Member since: Feb 24 '01
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RE: I've always
Quote: knotheadusc --snip--
Like so many others, I would prefer to be able to just hand type the HTML code than try to wade through the editor to find where the mistakes are.
It would be an interesting experiment for those 'pining for the old days' to try opening the HTML Source Editor at the review posting box and see if it is indeed possible to type 'ol' fashioned' HTML code directly there and have it post correctly.
As the 'source editor' currently runs all the code together (a crap design by the way...) not sure how it would handle un-coded carriage returns. Also not sure if one would have to insert <br> and/or <p> tags manually.
(I currently aint got no dawg in the fight, so I really do not care to investigate it...)
Perhaps there is a workaround for all you Luddites. ...:minism:...
...tom...
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| scmrak |
Posted: Sep 06 '08, 9:36 am (Updated: Sep 06 '08, 9:37 am) |
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Reviews written: 1294 Member since: Sep 27 '00
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RE: Does anyone test these things beforehand?
Quote: jump_chump Rex, much thanks for being a great help during the roll out of the new editor. Here's a couple points I'd like to clarify. Damon, your few paragraphs here are worth an order of magnitude more than any help I've attempted to offer - thanks for those clarifications.
The information that these bugs are inherited from an open-source application is valuable, plus (I hope) it helps us understand, once again, that there are many layers beyond mere website design behind this site - something the tens of thousands of members who build web pages seem to forget sometimes. Please let Kevin know that we all appreciate his efforts (though we all hope he's working 80-hour weeks to get the bugs cleaned up).
I've been attempting to use screen-captures to create some help documents for the membership; they've been uploaded to a geocities site I use. Feel free to take a look:
Pasting from a word processor
Adding links to content
I'll be happy, as time allows, to try to put together similar documents for any other functions in the editor that are causing grief.
Thanks again for the information.
-30-
rex
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| shopaholic_man |
Posted: Sep 07 '08, 6:25 am |
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Reviews written: 987 Member since: Feb 15 '04
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RE: Does anyone test these things beforehand?
BUMP, many people struggling with the new editor should find amny posts within this thread most helpful |
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| jps246 |
Posted: Sep 07 '08, 9:24 am |
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Reviews written: 819 Member since: Jan 25 '01
in Outdoor Gear, Sporting Goods |
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RE: Doesn't Work
Quote: ladyconsumer A few days ago I suggested a mod pin the most helpful posts on this subject. They've not done so. I still wish they would. So many users are coming here with questions, and so many people are giving GREAT advice. Why not make it easier to point newcomers to the most helpful answers?
I'd suggest pinning it too, since this is going to be an ongoing issue for a while. Plus it'll help duplicate threads from forming and making the whole thing more confusing when you are trying to find out info. |
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| sleeper54 |
Posted: Sep 07 '08, 9:28 am |
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Reviews written: 469 Member since: Feb 24 '01
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RE: Does anyone test these things beforehand?
Quote: shopaholic_man BUMP, many people struggling with the new editor should find amny posts within this thread most helpful
Perhaps a Moderator (respecting 'em with a 'big M') could extract the 'most helpful' individual posts and compile them in a pinned _and_ locked thread.
This would help peeps without the time to wade/sift/muck through 200-plus posts to find the nuggets.
Just a thought.
...tom...
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| shopaholic_man |
Posted: Sep 07 '08, 9:48 am |
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Reviews written: 987 Member since: Feb 15 '04
in Movies |
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RE: Does anyone test these things beforehand?
Quote: sleeper54 Perhaps a Moderator (respecting 'em with a 'big M') could extract the 'most helpful' individual posts and compile them in a pinned _and_ locked thread.
This would help peeps without the time to wade/sift/muck through 200-plus posts to find the nuggets.
Just a thought.
...tom...
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we are working on it
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| sleeper54 |
Posted: Sep 07 '08, 10:47 am |
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Reviews written: 469 Member since: Feb 24 '01
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RE: Does anyone test these things beforehand?
Quote: shopaholic_man we are working on it
Way kewl
. . . ...:{{{modhugs}}}smiliemoment:...
...tom...
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| scmrak |
Posted: Sep 07 '08, 12:23 pm |
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Reviews written: 1294 Member since: Sep 27 '00
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RE: Does anyone test these things beforehand?
Quote: jump_chump ...Granted, Epinions folks may be using the interface in ways that other sites aren't-- pasting Word text is a good example...
Assuming it works, maybe they'd share some hints about how they got the engine to behave?
-30-
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| jump_chump |
Posted: Sep 08 '08, 12:31 pm |
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Reviews written: 0 Member since: Oct 04 '05
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Yes, we do
Quote: scmrak Damon, I was just over at WordPress, and they do have a paste from Word process in their "kitchen sink" menu. I did not, however, test it out...
I just did a quick test of both Word-paste functions (using your excellent Word docs as examples!), and both worked fine for me. I realize there's outlying cases, though. It's difficult to test for all cases, so letting us know what doesn't work is the first step to getting them fixed.
damon
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Epinions Engineer |
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| cmuir |
Posted: Sep 08 '08, 5:15 pm |
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Reviews written: 508 Member since: Jan 31 '00
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RE: Yes, we do
I got the Word paste function to work for me today, finally and my spacing came out perfectly. The only problem I had is that I ended up with the review copying twice. I had to delete one of them.
What should I be doing at my Word screen (in Word itself) that I must not be doing correctly?
Thanks,
Cindi |
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